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Thank you for your reply and question!

apostello – to send, also pempo

There was a man sent [apostello] from God, whose name [was] John. – John 1:6

But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent [apostello] me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me [pempo], hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, [apostello] him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.- John 5:26-39

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent [pempo] me. – John 14:22-24

apostolos – a delegate or messenger, one sent.

The term was used to describe the twelve chosen by Jesus as well as Barnabas and Paul.

Now the names of the twelve apostles [apostolos] are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother; - Matt 10:2

[Which] when the apostles, [apostolos] Barnabas and Paul, heard [of], they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, - Acts 14:14

Apostleship is a gift of the Spirit and not limited to the twelve (I Cor 12: 28)

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, [apostolos] secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [Are] all apostles? [apostolos] [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. – I Cor 12:28-31

Now to get to the meat of your reply. You said:

I ask because I think it is in the concepts around those words that we on the RC/EO sides find a tertium quid between usurping God's authority and saying the Church has no authority.

As in I Cor 12, I aver the members of the body of Christ have different gifts, authorities and responsibilities. Not everyone is an apostle, not everyone is a teacher.

I asked God in earnest prayer what my gift in the Spirit is (we all have at least one.) The reply was that I am an encourager - like Barnabas was to Paul and the new converts. He has confirmed this many times in my life as He puts me in positions to encourage my brothers and sisters in Him who may have become weary or weak kneed in the face of circumstances of life (the "weeds" such as facing death, sickness, depression, politics, peer pressure, bitterness, science.)

As to those who are gifted to be apostles, I suggest it is very important to remember that God and not man is the One who gives the gift. Moreover, anyone gifted as an apostle must remember this always - because a lack of humility will lead to ruin both for himself and those around him in the body of Christ ("get thee behind me, Satan" - Matt 16):

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am. If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent [pempo] him. – John 13:12-16

As I have said before, about half my family is Catholic - and all of my family are Christian. We are all members of the body of Christ.

My main objection to Catholicism is that it goes beyond the words of God, teaching as commandments of God the doctrine of men. [Mark 7:7] But I have that same objection over all the others, Eastern Orthodox, Calvinism, Arminianism, Mormonism and so on. It is nothing “personal.”

Nor do I discourage my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ who are truly much more comfortable relying on the doctrines and traditions of their faithful religious leaders. We are all different gemstones in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (to repeat a favorite metaphor.)

Christ chose twelve very different apostles, accepted seven very different churches. We are looking at a seven-faceted diamond from different aspects, but it is the same diamond, the same Light.

I expect to see all of my family in heaven – and you too, dear Mad Dawg!

Maranatha, Jesus!